Sioux City Railroad Museum announces plans to restore 100 year old steam engine

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)– The Sioux City Railroad Museum announces its plans to restore a steam engine to its former glory.

The museum partnered with the American Heartland Railroad Society to restore a Great Northern Railway Steam Locomotive Number 1355, also called Chief Ironhorse.

The engine was built in 1909 and was in service until 1955, when it was given to Sioux City as a thank you. The railroad society says this project is a dream come true.

“It’s preserving part of history. You know what helped build the United States our expansion westward was the railroads, you know. For us to be able to take a piece of that history and bring it back to life, that’s an important thing,” said Logan Stilwill, with American Heartland Railroad Society.

Stilwill says the restoration is expected to take three years. However, he hasn’t had time to investigate the steam engine for water damage.

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